Imagine a dusty drawer, stuffed with colorful prepaid gift cards, each loaded with secret cash. Now picture that drawer belonging to someone who’s no longer around to swipe them at checkout. Those hidden balances don’t just vanish into thin air—they sit in limbo, waiting for someone to claim them.
This is where the drama begins: retailers, card issuers, and heirs all have a stake in the outcome. What happens next depends on the fine print, state laws, and whether anyone even knows the cards exist.
